CMETU director takes part in Montessori event at JA JobSpark

FORT WAYNE — Laurie Stockton-Moreno, director of The Center for Montessori Education at Trine University (CMETU), was part of a team that introduced area eighth- and ninth-grade students to Montessori education during a recent event.

The United Montessori Schools of Indiana, in collaboration with partner schools in the Northeast Indiana region, presented an early childhood Montessori “classroom without walls” at the Junior Achievement JobSpark, Nov. 4-5 at the Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne.

The activity was based on the Glass Classroom created by Dr. Maria Montessori for the 1915 World’s Fair.

JobSpark students were able to observe teachers and young children interacting with real classroom materials in real time.

“Through this event, we hoped to spark curiosity and passion in students exploring early childhood education as a career path,” Stockton-Moreno said.

The Northeast Indiana Early Childhood Coalition organized the activity. In addition to CMETU, the following schools coordinated under the organization of United Montessori Schools of Indiana, initiated by Karrin Marquell, head of school at Southwest Montessori Academy in Fort Wayne: Metropolitan School District of Steuben County Early Learning Center, Southwest Montessori Academy, Peace Montessori, Bunche Montessori, Magnolia Montessori, Pleasant Lake Montessori and Martin Luther King Montessori.

The Dekko Foundation provided funding.

Junior Achievement JobSpark a two-day interactive career expo for eighth- and ninth-grade students. It is meant to "spark" an interest and get students excited for their future. Participants engage in fun, interactive activities in various career clusters, explore new opportunities and cultivate their interests in regional careers.